Rain gutter questions, answered straight

Sectional gutters come in pre-cut 10-foot pieces joined together, and every joint is a place that can leak or pull apart. Seamless gutters are formed on-site from a coil of metal and cut to the exact length of each wall, so a 50-foot run is one piece with no joints along it.

Most shingle roofs in Los Angeles use 5-inch gutters. Tile roofs, large roofs and steep roofs that shed a lot of water often need 6-inch gutters to handle the overhang and the volume. The estimator sizes the gutter to your roof during the free visit.

The Rain Gutter Specialists install aluminum, copper and bonderized steel gutters. Aluminum is the most popular and comes in 36 baked enamel colors. Copper costs more and develops a natural patina over time. Bonderized steel is the most dent-resistant and is often used on commercial buildings.

The company installs OG (K-style), half round, box and flat face gutter profiles. Standard residential sizes are 5 inch and 6 inch. Half round gutters come in 6 inch and suit Spanish tile roofs.

Check that the contractor holds a California license that covers gutters (a C-43 sheet metal or D-24 classification), read their reviews and ask for a written scope and samples. The Rain Gutter Specialists hold CSLB license #931397, which you can check on the CSLB website.

Most residential gutter installations are finished in one day, including removing and recycling the old gutters and cleaning up.

No. The Rain Gutter Specialists hang gutters on aluminum Hangfast hidden hangers fastened with screws. Nails are visible on the gutter face and make future adjustments difficult; hidden hangers keep the gutter line clean.

Signs of a clog include water spilling over the front edge of the gutter, sagging sections, and little or no water coming out of the downspouts during rain. Leaves and debris are the usual cause.

Clean gutters at least twice a year, in spring and fall. Homes under trees, especially oaks and sycamores, need cleaning more often.

Yes. Old gutters are taken down, hauled away and recycled as part of a replacement. Removal is also available on its own before remodeling or painting.

The price depends on the total length of the runs, the material (aluminum, copper or bonderized steel), the profile, the number of corners and downspouts, and whether old gutters need removing. The Rain Gutter Specialists measure your home for free and give you the price in writing before any work starts. There are no hidden fees: the price quoted is the price you pay.

Yes. The Rain Gutter Specialists provide warranties on materials and workmanship. The baked enamel finish on the aluminum gutters is guaranteed against peeling and chipping.

The Rain Gutter Specialists serve Los Angeles County and eastern Ventura County from their shop in Van Nuys, including the San Fernando Valley, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, the Westside, Malibu, Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, the South Bay and Long Beach.

The office is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Yes. The Rain Gutter Specialists are licensed (CSLB #931397), bonded and insured, with more than 20 years in the rain gutter business.